The 1972 Boston State College Men's Lacrosse team became the
first lax unit from the school to advance to the United States
Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association National Tournament. The
Warriors' only loss heading into the tournament was a tough 9-8
defeat to Springfield College, but the tournament bid was historic
for the school. "This has to be the greatest thrill of my life,"
said 26-year old second-year Head Coach Gordie Webb at the time.
"It's a great reward for the kids, who have worked so hard for a
chance like this." Boston State would fall to Adelphi University in
the first round of the tournament in Long Island, NY. The Warriors
finished with an 11-2 mark, including a nine-game winning streak,
with wins over such programs as Boston College, Holy Cross and
Tufts University. The team's defense was suffocating, allowing four
or fewer goals in all but three contests, while allowing just 4.2
scores per game. Senior attackman Frank Morgan and fellow
co-captain junior midfielder Bill Rafuse were both named All-New
England as well as Colonial League All-Stars, while Colonial League
All-Star freshman goalie John Yeager anchored the defense with a
.790 save percentage. Senior defender Frank Kelly also earned
All-New England status for a team, whose margin of victory was just
under seven goals per game. Members of the team included Webb,
assistant coach Pat Greatorex, Charlie Ahern, Pete Banis, Mike
Bottiglio, Mike Browne, Jim Caffelle, Jim Collins, Bob Connors, Joe
Curley, Leo Dawson, John DeYeso, Bill Fleming, Pat Fullerton, Glenn
Harrington, Steve Harris, Frank Kelly, Tom Kelly, Jim Kent, Steve
Koenig, John MacLean, Jack Manning, Frank McCabe, Joe McCarthy,
Gerry McClellan, Jim McLean, Bill McCormack, John Miles, Morgan,
Rafuse, Jim Russell, Charlie Smith, Jay Sullivan, Jim Tighe, Mike
Venezia, Lou Verocchi, Yeager and Richie Young.